Anglican disunion

Finding ways to live together amid disagreement has long been an Anglican ideal. That ideal is receiving its severest test as the Anglican Communion discusses the Windsor Report, issued in October in response to the election of an openly gay bishop in the U.S. and the blessing of same-sex relationships by some American and Canadian dioceses.

An influential swath of Anglican leaders is hoping the Windsor Report’s blend of reprimands and calls to unity can influence church deliberations and encourage a new sense of the larger common good, and also foster the civility and breadth of spirit that will make that sense possible.